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International Action Center Boston - iacboston.org
iacboston@iacboston.org 617-522-6626EMERGENCY DEMO TO STOP FBI RAIDS AND HARASSMENT OF ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
4-6 PM
JFK FEDERAL BUILDING, BOSTON
CALL FROM BOSTON MAYDAY COALITION:
Protest FBI Attacks on Progressives in Minneapolis and Chicago
Where: JFK Federal Building • Government Center T • Boston
Bring your signs, chants and outrage at this latest attack on freedom of expresion and political dissent
The government of Barack Obama is responsible for the acts of the FBI and we should demand an explanation and an immediate stop to the persecution of progressive activists. People in the U.S. should remember the Palmer Raids of yesteryears and say that we will not tolerate a repeat of history. We also have to work towards repealing the law that allows the state to persecute progressives: the Patriot Act.
Our solidarity goes to all the activists that have been targeted on this act of repression and intimidation.
Below is a brief news summary of the events we protest:
The FBI searched eight homes in Minneapolis and Chicago as part of a "terrorism" investigation on Friday 9/24. FBI spokesman Steve Warfield told The Associated Press agents served six warrants in Minneapolis and two in Chicago ."These were search warrants only," Warfield said. "We're not anticipating any arrests at this time. They're seeking evidence relating to activities concerning the material support of terrorism." The home of Minneapolis anti-war activists Mick Kelly and Jess Sundin were among those searched, they told the AP.
"The FBI is harassing anti-war organizers and leaders, folks who opposed U.S. intervention in the Middle East and Latin America ," Kelly said before agents confiscated his cell phone. Sundin called the suggestion they were connected with terrorism "pretty hilarious and ridiculous." The agents took "computers, several boxes of papers, everything related to data like discs," Sundin said.
Both Sundin and Kelly were organizers of a mass march on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in St. Paul two years ago, and recently appeared at a news conference to announce plans for another protest if Minneapolis is selected to hold the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Police estimated the peaceful march drew 10,000 protesters; organizers put the figure at 30,000. More than 800 people were arrested during the four days of the convention, including Sundin and Kelly. Sundin said they've already sought permits for 2012, "something I don't think terrorists would do."
Call issued by the Boston May Day Committee.
The International Action Center supports the call below from the Minnesota Antiwar Committee for Emergency Actions at federal buildings and FBI offices on Monday and Tuesday, September 28 and 29 to Support Anti-War and International Solidarity Activists and Stop FBI Raids and Harassment, and urges you to participate in one of the actions listed below or to organize an action in your city if one is not already planned.
In solidarity,
Sara Flounders and John Parker, Co-Directors, International Action Center
IACenter.org 212-633-6646
IACBoston.org iacboston@iacboston.org 617-522-6626
Emergency Actions to Support Anti-War and International Solidarity Activists
Stop FBI Raids and Harassment
We denounce the Federal Bureau of Investigation harassment of anti-war and solidarity activists. The FBI raided seven houses and an office in Chicago and Minneapolis on Friday, September 24, 2010. The FBI handed subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury to eleven activists in Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. The FBI also attempted to intimidate activists in California and North Carolina.
This suppression of civil rights is aimed at those who dedicate their time and energy to supporting the struggles of the Palestinian and Colombian peoples against U.S. funded occupation and war. The FBI has indicated that the grand jury is investigating the activists for possible material support of terrorism charges.
The activists involved have done nothing wrong and are refusing to be pulled into conversations with the FBI about their political views or organizing against war and occupation. The activists are involved with many groups, including: the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee, the Palestine Solidarity Group, the Colombia Action Network, Students for a Democratic Society, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. These activists came together with many others to organize the 2008 anti-war marches on the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.
We ask people of conscience to join us in fighting this political repression, as we continue working to build the movements against US war and occupation.
Take Action:
Call the U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at 202-353-1555 or write an email to: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov.
Demand:
**Stop the repression against anti-war and international solidarity activists.
**Immediately return all confiscated materials: computers, cell phones, papers, documents, etc.
**End the grand jury proceedings against anti-war activists.
Plan and Support national days of protest at FBI offices or Federal Buildings, September 27 and 28th.
A demonstration has been called at the Minneapolis FBI Office Monday, 4:30, September 27th (111 Washington Ave. S.).
In Solidarity, the Anti-War Committee – www.antiwarcommittee.org
The following is a list of the 19 planned protests that we have heard of so far, and the list is growing. Please participate in the one nearest you, or if there is not one in your city, organize one and let us know at iacenter@iacenter.org so we can publicize it and add it to the list:
Please be in touch with the Minnesota Anti-War Committee - www.antiwarcommittee.org
Monday 9/27:
Minneapolis, MN - 4:30, FBI Office Monday, 111 Washington Ave. S.
Chicago, IL - 4:30 Fedeeral Building, Federal Plaza.
Kalamazoo, MI - 4:30 Federal Building, 410 W Michigan Ave
Salt Lake City, Utah - 9 AM at Federal Building
Durham, NC - 12 noon Federal Building, 323 E Chapel Hill St
Buffalo, NY- 4:30 pm at FBI Building - Corner of So. Elmwood Ave. & Niagara St.
Boston, MA - 4-6 pm, JFK Federal Building
Gainesville, FL - Monday, 4:30 PM at FBI Building
Tuesday 9/28:
NYC, NY - 4:30 to 6pm Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza,
Newark, NJ - 5 to 6pm Federal Building Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA - 4:30pm Federal Building, 6th & Market,
Washington DC - 4:30 – 5:30 FBI Building, 935 Pennsylvania Ave NW.
Raleigh, NC - 9 am. Federal Building, 310 New Bern Ave
Asheville, NC - 5 pm Federal Building,
Atlanta, GA - Noon, FBI Building
Los Angeles, CA - 5 pm, Downtown Federal Building, 300 N Los Angeles St
Tucson, AZ - 5 pm Federal Building
Wednesday 9/29:
Albany, NY - 5 to 6 pm Federal Building
International Action Center - iacenter.org
In solidarity,
Sara Flounders, Co-director, International Action Center
For Immediate Release
24 September 2010
Contact: Tom Burke, 773-844-3612
Steff Yorek, 612-865-8234
Activists Denounce FBI Raids on Anti-war and Solidarity Activists Homes
Subpoenas, Searches, and FBI visits carried out in cities across the country.
We denounce the Federal Bureau of Investigation harassment of anti-war and solidarity activists in several states across the country. The FBI began turning over six houses in Chicago and Minneapolis this morning, Friday, October 24, 2010, at 8:00 am central time. The FBI handed subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury to about a dozen activists in Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. They also attempted to intimidate activists in California and North Carolina.
"The government hopes to use a grand jury to frame up activists. The goal of these raids is to harass and try to intimidate the movement against U.S. wars and occupations, and those who oppose U.S. support for repressive regimes," said Colombia solidarity activist Tom Burke, one of those handed a subpoena by the FBI. "They are designed to suppress dissent and free speech, to divide the peace movement, and to pave the way for more U.S. military intervention in the Middle East and Latin America."
This suppression of democratic rights is aimed towards those who dedicate much of their time and energy to supporting the struggles of the Palestinian and Colombian peoples against U.S. funded occupation and war. The activists are involved with well-known anti-war groups including many of the leaders of the huge protest against the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN in September 2008. The FBI agents emphasized that the grand jury was going to investigate the activists for possible terrorism charges. This is a U.S. government attempt to silence those who support resistance to oppression in the Middle East and Latin America.
The activists involved have done nothing wrong and are refusing to be pulled into conversations with the FBI about their political views or organizing against war and occupation. The activists are involved with many groups, including: the Palestine Solidarity Group, Students for a Democratic Society, the Twin-Cities Anti-War Committee, the Colombia Action Network, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and the National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera (a Colombian Political Prisoner).
Steff Yorek, a long-time antiwar activist and one of the activists whose homes was searched, called the raids “An outrageous fishing expedition.”
We urge all progressive activists to show solidarity with those individuals targeted by the U.S. Government. Activists have the right not to speak with the FBI and are encouraged to politely refuse, just say “No”.
Please contact info@colombiasolidarity.org or info@fightbacknews.org if you would like to provide support to the targeted activists.
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-- THE END --
OR, IS IT JUST THE BEGINNING? YOU DECIDE!
( Stay tuned, as the struggle continues. )
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Chuck.Turner@cityofboston.gov Angela.Yarde@cityofboston.gov Phillip.Reason@cityofboston.gov
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ROXBURY: WARD 8, Pcts 3-4, 7; WARD 9, Pcts 3-5; WARD 11, Pcts 1-3, 5; WARD 12, Pcts 1-9
SOUTH END: Ward 4, Pct 4; Ward 9, Pct 2
FENWAY: Ward 4, Pcts 5, 8-9